Dietary supplement energy-providing to skeletal muscles and protecting the cardio vascular tract

ABSTRACT

Dietary supplements—providing energy and strengthening skeletal muscles and facilitating skeletal muscles ability to sustain prolonged periods of physical activity—containing propionyl-L-carnitine or one of its salts, coenzyme Q10, nicotinamide, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and optionally other components such as amino acids and creatines.

The present invention relates to an energy-giving dietary supplementaimed particularly at facilitating the adaptation of skeletal andcardiac muscle of subjects engaging in physical and/or recreationalactivity that may be particularly intense and prolonged. Anyone engagingin sports activities, whether professionally or as an amateur, wishes toachieve as soon as possible and maintain for as long as possible themaximum degree of adaptation of the skeletal muscles to the ability tosustain prolonged periods of intense physical activity.

The quest for optimal physical fitness may favour the inappropriate useof drugs, particularly steroids. It is well known that such drugs mayenhance protein synthesis and consequently boost the growth of musclemasses to a greater extent than can be achieved by training and dieting.The use of such drugs, however, is unquestionably damaging to health aswell as being illegal when practised in professional sport.

It is, therefore, obvious that the only correct way to achieve theabove-mentioned goal consists in engaging in lengthy training schedulesbacked up by suitable, properly supplemented diets.

Thus, more or less recently, various dietary supplements have beenproposed aimed at reinforcing the diets of individuals engaging inintense physical activity whether at the professional or amateur level.

The vast majority of these supplements devote particular attention tothe metabolism of the skeletal muscle which requires a vast range ofnutrients for protein synthesis, mainly including amino acids. In fact,since almost all amino acids, whether essential or non-essential, aresubstrates needed by the muscle cells for such synthesis, dietarysupplements have been marketed now for some time containing mixtures ofamino acids in various weight-to-weight ratios in combination with otheractive ingredients and nutrients (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.4,687,782 and 5,292,538).

With other dietary supplements, on the other hand, the attention isfocused rather on the production of energy and thus of ATP. Theingredients characterizing these supplements are therefore mainlycoenzyme Q₁₀ and creatine.

Coenzyme Q₁₀ plays a fundamental role in the transport of electronsalong the mitochondrial respiratory chain, which is necessary for theenergy transformations needed for ATP production.

The physiological function of creatine, which is partly biosynthesizedin the liver and kidneys and partly ingested with the diet, is alsoextremely important in energy terms: in muscle, but also in the brain,liver and kidneys, creatine reversibly takes up the phosphoric group ofATP and plays a role as a reserve of phosphoric radicals rich in energy.

The importance of this reaction stems from the fact that ATP cannotaccumulate in tissues above a very modest limit. It is thephosphocreatine present in tissues in amounts roughly five-fold higherthan ATP, that ensures its supply. In fact, after even only moderatephysical exercise, phosphocreatine diminishes in skeletal muscle to amuch more marked extent than ATP, demonstrating that phosphocreatinerephosphorylates ATP, as the ATP is dephosphorylated. When the rate ofmetabolic production of ATP exceeds its rate of use, phosphocreatine isformed. Phosphocreatine thus constitutes a store of immediatelyutilizable energy suitable for “buffering” energy needs above the ATPsynthesis rate in phosphorylative metabolic processes.

In brief, with the existing dietary supplements there is a tendency, onthe one hand, to enhance muscle mass and, on the other, to constituteenergy reserves that make available immediately “consumable” energy whenthe intensity of the physical effort requires it.

The muscle enhancement and the increased availability of energy favouredby these known food supplements may, however, cause even severe sideeffects, particularly in subjects who, since they do not practise sportprofessionally and thus are not subjected periodically to thoroughcheck-ups, may be induced to engage in physical performances exceedingtheir physiological resistance limits without them necessarilyperceiving this situation.

Such subjects constitute the majority of users of dietary supplementsand a considerable proportion of them are made up of individuals who areno longer young or may be decidedly elderly, who very rarely undergomedical check-ups to ascertain their suitability for the physicalactivity they undertake and to establish the limits of intensity andeffort beyond which it is dangerous to push oneself.

Since it is particularly the cardiovascular system that is most stronglystressed by any type of physical or sporting activity, there can belittle doubt as to the obvious danger to which these users are exposingthemselves, in that their propensity to sustain loads of fatigue andphysical stress disproportionate to the state and integrity of thecardiovascular apparatus may be increased considerably by consuming suchenergy-giving supplements.

There is, therefore, a perceived need for a dietary supplement which, onthe one hand, has an energy-giving and strengthening effect on skeletalmuscle and, on the other, exerts at the same time a protective, toniceffect on the user's cardiovascular apparatus.

The aim of the present invention is to provide just such a dietarysupplement.

One object of the present invention is, therefore, a dietary supplementendowed with a potent strengthening and energy-giving effect on skeletalmuscle and, at the same time, a protective, tonic effect on thecardiovascular apparatus of individuals engaging in sporting and/orrecreational activities that may require intense, prolonged physicaleffort, the characterizing components of which, in combination orpackaged separately, comprise:

a) propionyl L-carnitine or one of its pharmacologically acceptablesalts;b) coenzyme Q₁₀;c) riboflavin, andd) pantothenic acid.

The weight-to-weight ratio of components (a):(b):(c):(d) ranges from10:0.04:0.08:0.4 to 1:4:4:20 and preferably from 10:2:2:2 to 1:1:1:5.

The activity of the “carnitines” in general, and of propionylL-carnitine in particular, on lipid metabolism is well known, as istheir anti-atherosclerotic action and their action on lipid metabolismdisorders.

Propionyl L-carnitine, however, differs from the other “carnitines” inits specific cardiovascular activity, despite participating, like theother “carnitines”, above all at mitochondrial level, in the importantmetabolic role related to the β-oxidation of fatty acids and ATPsynthesis.

Propionyl L-carnitine takes part in all the metabolic activitiescharacteristic of the “carnitines”, but, unlike the others, presents amore pronounced activity at the vascular level, and particularly at thelevel of the peripheral circulation, thus presenting itself as a validtherapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of various peripheralvasculopathies. Propionyl L-carnitine is also superior to the othercarnitines in conditions in which the other carnitines are unable toact, and this particular feature is related to its more direct metabolicintervention in the processes of energy utilization at the mitochondriallevel and to the presence of the propionyl group which distinguishes itspharmacological effect from that of other similar molecules to such anextent as to make it a chemical entity in its own right, with superiorand different properties to those of the other carnitines.

Propionyl L-carnitine is a naturally occurring component of the pool ofcarnitines and is synthesized by means of carnitine acetyl-transferasestarting from propionyl-Coenzyme A.

Its administration to human subjects leads to an increase in plasmaconcentrations of propionyl L-carnitine which in turn causes an increasein plasma concentrations of L-carnitine which regulate its content inthe cells with an increase in their oxidative effect on fatty acids andutilization of glucose. In addition, muscular carnitine transferasepossesses a greater affinity for propionyl L-carnitine than forL-carnitine, and consequently propionyl L-carnitine possesses a higherdegree of specificity for cardiac and skeletal muscle. Transporting thepropionyl group, propionyl L-carnitine increases the uptake of thiscomponent by the muscle cells, particularly those of the myocardium.This may be of particular importance, since propionate can be used bythe mitochondria as an anaplerotic substrate and supply energy inanaerobic conditions. It should be recalled that propionate cannot beused alone on account of its side effects.

Apart from these metabolic effects, it should also be recalled that,owing to its alkanoyl chain, propionyl L-carnitine exerts a specificpharmacological action by activating peripheral vasodilatation andmyocardial inotropism in conditions in which the other carnitines areinactive.

In addition to propionyl L-carnitine, the dietary supplement can furthercomprise a “carnitine” selected from the group consisting ofL-carnitine, acetyl L-carnitine, valeryl L-carnitine, isovalerylL-carnitine and butyryl L-carnitine or their pharmacologicallyacceptable salts.

What is meant by a pharmacologically acceptable salt of L-carnitine orof an alkanoyl L-carnitine is any salt of these with an acid which doesnot give rise to unwanted toxic or side effects. These acids are wellknown to pharmacologists and to experts in pharmaceutical technology.

Examples of such salts, but by no means exclusively these, are thefollowing: chloride; bromide; iodide; aspartate, acid aspartate;citrate, acid citrate; tartrate; phosphate, acid phosphate; fumarate,acid fumarate; glycerophosphate; glucose phosphate; lactate; maleate,acid maleate; mucate; orotate; oxalate, acid oxalate; sulphate, acidsulphate; trichloroacetate; trifluoroacetate and methane sulphonate.

A list of FDA-approved pharmacologically acceptable acids is given inInt. J. Pharm., 33, 1986, 201-217, the latter publication beingincorporated in the present description for reference purposes.

For the preparation of solid administration forms, such as, for example,tablets, pills, capsules and granulates, the use of non-hygroscopicsalts is preferred. The preferred non-hygroscopic salts of propionylL-carnitine and of any other alkanoyl L-carnitines present are themucates (or galactarates), disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,379 which isincorporated herein by reference.

Whenever, in the above-mentioned solid administration forms, L-carnitineis also present, the preferred salt of this carnitine is the acidfumarate described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,039 which is incorporatedherein by reference.

In addition to its characteristics of stability and lack ofhygroscopicity, L-carnitine fumarate exerts a double protective actionwith regard to protein metabolism: through a direct increase inintermediate metabolism, it indirectly stimulates protein biosynthesisand, as a result of the mobilization of fatty acids, induces asparing/protective effect on the muscle protein components.

The dietary supplement according to the invention may further compriseone or more of the following components:

f) an amino acid selected from the group consisting of valine, leucineand isoleucine or mixtures thereof;g) a creatine selected from the group consisting of creatine andphosphocreatine or mixtures thereof.

The dietary supplement of the present invention in unit dose formcontains:

propionyl L-carnitine from 50 mg to 2,000 mg coenzyme Q₁₀ from 5 mg to200 mg riboflavin from 5 mg to 200 mg pantothenic acid from 10 mg to1,000 mg

For example, a formulation suitable for tablets is the following:

propionyl L-carnitine 250 mg  coenzyme Q₁₀ 20 mg riboflavin 20 mgpantothenic acid 20 mg

The supplement may further comprise mineral salts, such as, for example,disodium citrate, monopotassium phosphate, calcium lactate and magnesiumtaurate. The dietary supplement of the present invention is suitable fororal administration. The supplement, even when comprising theabove-mentioned amino acids, must not be used as a single or main sourceof nutrition on a day-to-day basis.

The complementary part of the diet will, therefore, consist ofappropriate amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins and minerals.

The amount of dietary supplement taken daily may vary within broadlimits, depending, for example, on the subject's age and weight, or uponthe intensity and complexity of the training schedule or the physicalactivity the individual engages in.

The potent energy-giving effect on skeletal muscle and, at the sametime, the protective effect on the cardiovascular system that isachieved with the dietary of the present invention has been shown byseveral pharmacological tests (some of which are described here below)selected in such a way as to be strongly predictive for the practicaluse of the supplement in the human field. In these tests, the animalstreated with a composition according to the invention were administeredthe tablet formulation previously described at the dose of 50 mg/kg/dayfor seven weeks.

EXAMPLE 1 Improvement of Cardiac Mechanics by a Composition Composed ofPropionyl L-Carnitine, Coenzyme Q₁₀, Riboflavin an Pantothenic Acid inthe Rat

The mechanical effects of long term (7 weeks) treatment with acoformulation of Propionyl L-carnitine, Coenzyme Q₁₀, Riboflavine andPantothenic acid (this composition in the following will be mentioned as“H5122.1A”), were studied on rat isolated left ventricular papillarymuscle (LVPM).

The active length-tension curve for HS122.1A-treated LVPM was elevated,with maximum tension (P₀) at optimal length, 57% higher than that ofcontrol muscles. Supplementation did not alter passive length-tension,time-to-peak tension (TPT), or half-relaxation time (RT₅₀), however, themaximum rate of tension development (+dT/dt) and the maximum rate oftension fall −dT/dt were increased 47% (p<0.001) and 54% (p<0.001)respectively by supplementation.

At the lowest afterloads (0.2 P_(o)) the amount of shortening of LVPMfrom HS122.1A-supplemented rats was 47% increased compared to controlrats.

The maximum amount of work (1.24±0.16 μJ*CSA⁻¹*muscle length−1))resulted twice as much as control animals (0.58±0.21 μJ*CSA⁻¹*musclelength⁻¹) Shortening velocity was greater for muscles from HS122.1A ratsthan for control rats at all loads tested. The maximum velocity ofshortening (V_(max)) calculated with Hill equations, of 1.52±0.14mm*s⁻¹*muscle length⁻¹ was significantly greater (p<0.05) than that of 101±0.21 mm*s⁻¹*muscle length⁻¹ for control muscle. Muscles fromsupplemented rats were found to develop a significantly (p<0.05) greatertension before shortening velocity was reduced to zero averaging36.76±8.65 mN*mm⁻² compared to 23.35±5.61 mN*mm⁻² for LVPM from controlrats. Concerning power obtained as the product between shorteningvelocity an loads lifted, the maximum value (9.24±2.22 μW*CSA⁻¹*musclelength⁻¹) was twice as high in the HS122.1A-supplemented rats (p<0.05)as in control rats (4.44±1.02 μW*CSA⁻¹*muscle length⁻¹).

In conclusion HS122.1A supplementation resulted in improved cardiacfunctions and contractility in the rat.

20 male Wistar rats obtained from Charles River, Italy, were used.Animals were kept in an animal house, under controlled environmentalconditions (12-h light-dark cycle, 22-24° C., 40-50% humidity) andreceived food and water ad libitum.

Animals were randomly assigned to receive daily, by gavage, for 7 weeks,either a blank treatment consisting of carboxy-methyl cellulose (CMC) orHS122.1A, a co-formulation containing (mg/Kg/d in CMC):propionyl-L-carnitine (35.02). coenzyme Q₁₀ (2.77), riboflavine (2.77),pantothenic acid (2.77). Ten rats received HS122.1A and ten ratsreceived CMC. CMC is commonly used to facilitate a suspension ofpulverised or insoluble substances.

Body Weight Determination.

Each animal was daily weighed on a Mettler (Switzerland) balance,accurate to ±1 g. in order to establish the amount of HS122.1A orvehicle to be administered to each rat.

Muscle Preparation and Mounting.

After the period of supplementation (7 weeks) the animals wereanesthetized by ether and euthanasia followed by rapid excision of theheart. The heart was initially placed in Krebs solution. Understereomicroscope (16×, Zeiss) left papillary muscle was excised with asmall portion of ventricle. Papillary muscle was mounted between twosmall metallic clips (Fine Science Tools, Vancouver, Canada) andvertically placed in a jacketed perspex chamber (10 ml) containing Krebssolution, with the lower end (the ventricular wall end) attached to aforce transducer (Mod.Wp1 Fort 10, 2200 μ*V*V⁻¹*g⁻¹, ADInstrument, PtyLdt. Australia) which was fitted in the chamber. The upper end connectedvia a carefully straightened steel wire to an isotonic lever of a lineardisplacement transducer (moment of inertia 35 g*cm⁻², breakaway torque<0.1 g*cm⁻¹, Basile Comerio, Italy). The transducer lever arm(fulcrum-organ ring length: 10 cm, operating range: ±15°) was made of athin wall of carbon fibre conical tube. Lever arm loading was providedby a tungsten alloy cylinder counterweight moving along a scaleproducing a load variation of 0.01 g/step. Each experiment was carriedout with two muscles from control and HS122.1A-supplemented ratsrespectively, contracting simultaneously in two organ baths. Eachpreparation was initially allowed to contract isotonically at afrequency of 0.06 Hz under a load of 10 mN while in solution. Thisinitial equilibration period lasted for 40-60 min and was consideredcomplete when mechanical performance had stabilised.

Length-Tensions Recordings.

After equilibration period the muscles were set to contractisometrically and stimulated at a frequency of 0.06 Hz. Preliminarydetermination was made of the optimum length for maximum developedtension production (L_(max)). Muscle lengths were altered by incrementalsteps of 0.1 mm and the muscles were allowed to equilibrate for a periodof approximately 5 minutes at each new length. Optimum length (L_(max))was determined as the point of maximum developed tension productionduring this sequence of increasing muscle lengths. The muscles were nextstretched to 1.06 L_(max) and reduced to the selected length by 0.02L_(max) decrements from 1.06 to 0.94 L_(max). In order to minimize theeffects of stress-relaxation muscles were allowed to equilibrate for aperiod of 5 minutes at each new length. The mechanical properties ofthis preparation remain relatively stable for many hours andreproducible length-tension curves were obtained.

Force-Velocity Recordings.

Upon completion of the isometric recordings and after subsequent 20-30minutes equilibration period isotonic experiments were performed. Theshortening response to electrical stimulation was recorded by classicafterload isotonic technique. Initially, a preload corresponding toresting tension (RT) recorded at L_(max) (see Table 1) was applied tothe muscle. The preparations were after-loaded by progressive incrementsof 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100% Po. At any load, developed tension andshortening were Simultaneously recorded.

TABLE 1 (Body and organ weights) Control Treated Initial body weight (g)161.2 ± 14.5 175.2 ± 10.1 Final body weight (g) 339.0 ± 20.2 338.9 ±27.9 Heart weight (mg) 967.3 ± 99.8 930.7 ± 80.7 LVPM weight (mg) 12.4 ±3.2 12.1 ± 1.9 Values are mean ± standard deviation. In control andtreated group n = 10 animals.

Electrical Stimulation.

Electrical stimuli were supplied by parallel platinum electrodesdelivering 5 ms square wave pulses at current intensities (8-14 mA)which were 10% greater than the minimum necessary to produce mechanicalresponse. Transverse electrical field stimulation was supplied to theelectrodes by high power constant current (Multiplexing pulser booster,Basile, Comerio, Italy) connected to a PowerLab stimulator(ADInstruments, Pty Ldt Australia). Isometric and isotonic twitchtensions were recorded at a frequency of 0.06 Hz.

Solutions.

Krebs solution had the following composition (mM): NaCl 123, KCl 6.0,CaCl₂ 2.50, MgSO₄ 1.2, NaHCO₃ 20, KH₂PO₄ 1.2. Glucose 11. The solutionwas continuously aerated with a mixture 95% 0₂ and 5% CO₂ duringdissection of the muscles as well as during the actual experiment.

Temperature

The Temperature was kept constant at 30±0.5° C. throughout theexperiment by circulating water from a termostated tank (Basile,Comerio, Italy) through the jacket around the muscle chamber.

Recording System

Isometric and isotonic experimental signals were recorded and analysedby a computer (Pentium IV Pro 512 MB ram; the software chart V.4.1.2)equipped with an analogical-to-digital converter program (PowerLab,ADInstruments, Pty Ldt Australia).

Length-Tension Curve Determination.

At each increment in length resting and developed tensions weremeasured. Resting tension was measured from the baseline tension,(determined at minimal increment in tension recorded: 0.01-0.025 mN) inthe rest period just before the next change in length. Total tension wasmeasured between peak developed tension and baseline tension, developedtension was measured as difference between total and resting tensions.

Tension values were normalised to cross-sectional area (CSA). Thecross-sectional area of each muscle was calculated from the equationA=M/pL, were M is mass (g). ρ is the density (g/ml) and numericallyequal to the specific gravity, and L is the length (mm). The specificgravity of the tissue bathed in Krebs-bicarbonate solution, asdetermined by pycnoinetric technique, was 1.056. Muscle length wasmeasured at L_(max).

Force-Velocity and Power-Load Curve Determinations.

A first processing step in analysing experimental shortening waves wasthe denoising, that is, estimating the unknown signal of interest fromthe available noisy data. The denoised data was obtained by DaubechiesDiscrete Wavelet Transform. At each afterload applied, velocity ofshortening was taken as peak of velocity obtained by calculating theaverage of the highest velocities reached by shortening wave. Therelation between the velocity of shortening and the load was determinedby plotting the developed tension vs. peak velocity of shortening foreach afterload.

Shortening velocity was normalized to muscle length and was expressed asmm*s⁻¹*muscle length⁻¹.

Power-load curves were obtained by multiplying force by velocity at eachafterload applied.

Statistical Analysis.

In order to verify the differences among supplemented and controlgroups, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed and p<0.05 wasconsidered significant. Length-tension determinations, shortening,shortening velocity, work and power were graphically represented interms of mean values±S.D.

Results

The general features of animals and LVPM from HS122.1A-supplemented andcontrol rats are see in table I.

Measurements of heart weight, body weight, and heart weight to bodyweight ratio between groups showed no difference.

No significant difference was found when muscle length, muscle weightand resultant cross sectional area were compared betweenHS122.1A-supplemented and control rats.

Isometric Measurements. Length-Tension Determinations.

The effects of HS122.1A on Frank-Starling mechanism of rat papillarymuscle are shown in the representative experimental traces andlength-tension relationships reported in FIG. 1. Experimental traces(FIG. 1A-B) report the typical active twitch tension recorded on twoLVPMs from HS122.1A-supplemented (FIG. 1A) and control rats (FIG. 1B).Muscle length was progressively reduced to the selected length by 0.02L_(max) decrements from 1.06 to 0.94 L_(max). As shown in the diagram ofFIG. 1C, the length-active tension of supplemented muscles increasedwith peak force (P_(o)) generated at L_(max) 36.76±8.65 mN*mm⁻² thatresulted 57% higher if compared with control rats (23.35±5.61 mN*mm⁻²)(p<0.001) (FIG. 1D). Supplementation did not significantly alter thepassive length-tension of LVPMs; however the total tension curves werehigher (p<0.05) for supplemented rats over the entire range of musclelengths studied.

A positive inotropic effect of HS122.1A was observed on isometric timingindices. As reported in FIG. 2, the maximum rate of tension development(+dT/dt) and the maximum rate of tension fall (−dT/dt) resultedincreased 47% (p<0.001) and 54% (p<0.001) respectively in supplementedrats (FIG. 2A) if compared to control ones (FIG. 2B). Supplementationdid not change time-to-peak tension (TPT), and the half-relaxation time(RT₅₀).

Isotonic Measurements. Shortening, Work, Shortening Velocity and PowerDetermination

A positive inotropic effect was also found on isotonic parametersrecorded on LVPMs from HS122.1A supplemented rats. FIG. 3 depicts therepresentative experimental traces of the shortening and the forcerecorded at various afterloads ranging from 20% to 100% P₀ on one LVPMfrom HS122.1A-supplemented (FIG. 3A) and control rats (FIG. 3B). Asshown in FIG. 3C at the lowest afterloads (0.2 P₀), the maximumshortening of LVPM from HS122.1A supplemented rats was 47% increasedcompared to control rats (FIG. 3D) (p<0.05). The maximum amount of worknormalised to cross sectional area and muscle length (1.24±0.16 μJ)(FIG. 3C) resulted two time greater (p<0.01) than in control animals(0.58±0.21 μJ) (FIG. 3D). FIG. 3E-F report a velocity of shorteningcurve determined with Hill equation on a single LVPM from supplemented(FIG. 3E) and control (FIG. 3F) rats. Velocity of shortening was greaterfor muscles from HS122.1A rats (FIG. 3G) than for control rats (FIG. 3H)at all loads applied. In the supplemented muscles the maximum shorteningvelocity (V_(max)) of 1.52±0.14 mm*s⁻¹*muscle length⁻¹ was significantlygreater (p<0.05) than that of 1.01±0.21 mm*s⁻¹*muscle length⁻¹ forcontrol muscle. Muscles from supplemented rats were found to develop asignificantly (p<0.05) greater tension before shortening velocity wasreduced to zero averaging 36.76±8.65 mN*mm⁻² compared to 23.35±5.61mN*mm⁻² for LVPM from control rats. Concerning power obtained as theproduct between shortening velocity an loads lifted, the maximum value(9.24±2.22 μW*CSA⁻¹*muscle length⁻¹) was twice as high in theHS122.1A-supplemented rats (p<0.05) (FIG. 3G) as in control rats(4.44±1.02 μW*CSA⁻¹*muscle length⁻¹) (FIG. 3H).

Discussion

The present results show that treatment with HS122.1A, a coformulationof Propionyl L-Carnitine, Coenzyme Q₁₀, Riboflavin and Pantothenic acid,elicits positive functional changes on mechanical functions of cardiacmuscles in the rat. In particular HS122.1A improved the Frank-Starlingmechanism increased shortening velocity, shortening, work and power ofpapillary muscle.

An increase in the total number of contractile filaments may havecontributed towards increasing the developed active tension observed incardiac and smooth muscles. Treatment, however, did not seem toinfluence contractile filament density, since no significant differenceswere found in dry weight specimens/body weight ratio betweensupplemented and control animals. Furthermore fibre damage was possiblyminimized by using a portion of the ventricular wall to attach themuscle to the transducer clip.

It is known that maximal shortening velocity is correlated with the rateof ATP hydrolysis, which is catalyzed by myosin ATPase. On a theoreticalbasis the enhancement of shortening velocity observed in all specimensfrom the supplemented animals could arise from: 1) an increase in theamount and/or activity of myosin ATPase, 2) an increased availability inATP in individual muscular contractile cells.

In conclusion our findings indicate that HS122.1A improves thebioenergetic activity of cardiac muscle cells, possibly on the basis ofincreased energy production.

1. A dietary supplement comprising as active ingredients a combinationof admixed or separately packaged: a) propionyl L-carnitine or apharmacologically acceptable salt thereof; b) coenzyme Q₁₀; c)riboflavin; and d) pantothenic acid.
 2. The dietary supplement of claim1, wherein component (a) further comprises a “carnitine” selected fromthe group consisting of L-carnitine, acetyl L-carnitine, valerylL-carnitine, isovaleryl L-carnitine and butyryl L-carnitine or thepharmacologically acceptable salts thereof or mixtures thereof.
 3. Thedietary supplement of claim 1 wherein the pharmacologically acceptablesalt is selected from the group consisting of: chloride; bromide;iodide; aspartate, acid aspartate; citrate, acid citrate; phosphate,acid phosphate; fumarate, acid fumarate; glycerophosphate; glucosephosphate; lactate; maleate, acid maleate; mucate; orotate; oxalate;acid oxalate; sulphate, acid sulphate; tartrate; trichloroacetate;trifluoroacetate and methane sulphonate.
 4. The dietary supplement ofclaim 1, which further comprises at least one of the followingcomponents: f) an amino acid selected from the group consisting ofvaline, leucine, isoleucine or mixtures thereof; g) a creative selectedfrom the group consisting of creatine and phosphocreatine or mixturesthereof.
 5. The dietary supplement of claim 1 wherein the weight ratio(a):(b):(c):(d) ranges from 10:0.04:0.08:0.4 to 1:4:4:20.
 6. The dietarysupplement of claim 5 wherein the weight ratio (a):(b):(c):(d) rangesfrom 10:2:2:2 to 1:1:1:5.
 7. The dietary supplement of anyone of thepreceding claims in the form of tablets, lozenges, pills, capsules andgranulates.
 8. The dietary supplement of claim 7 in unit dosage formcomprising: propionyl L-carnitine from 50 mg to 2,000 mg coenzyme Q₁₀from 5 mg to 200 mg riboflavin from 5 mg to 200 mg pantothenic acid from10 mg to 1,000 mg.
 9. A method of facilitating skeletal muscles abilityto sustain prolonged periods of intense physical activity comprisingadministering a dietary supplement consisting of as active ingredients:(a) propionyl L-carnitine or a pharmacologically acceptable saltthereof; (b) coenzyme Q₁₀; (c) riboflavin; and (d) pantothenic acid;wherein the ingredients are administered admixed together or separately.10. The method of claim 9, wherein component (a) further comprises acarnitine selected from the group consisting of L-carnitine,acetyl-L-carnitine, valeryl-L-carnitine, isovaleryl-L-carnitine andbutyryl-L-carnitine or the pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof ormixtures thereof.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein thepharmacologically acceptable salt is selected from the group consistingof chloride, bromide, iodide, aspartate, acid aspartate, citrate, acidcitrate, phosphate, acid phosphate, fumarate, acid fumarate,glycerophosphate, glucose phosphate, lactate, maleate, acid maleate,mucate, orotate, oxalate, acid oxalate, sulphate acid sulphate,tartrate, trichloroacetate, trifluoroacetate and methane sulphonate. 12.The method of claim 9 in which the dietary supplement further comprisesat least one of the following components: (f) an amino acid selectedfrom the group consisting of valine, leucine and isoleucine or mixturesthereof; (g) a creatine selected from the group consisting of creatineand phosphocreatine or mixtures thereof.
 13. The method of claim 9wherein the weight ratio (a):(b):(c):(d) ranges from 10:0.04:0.08:0.4 to1:4:4:20.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the weight ratio(a):(b):(c):(d) ranges from 10:2:2:2 to 1:1:1:5.
 15. The method of claim9 wherein the dietary supplement is in the form of tablets, lozenges,pills, capsules or granulates.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein thecomposition is in a unit dosage form comprising: propionyl L-carnitinefrom 50 mg to 2,000 mg coenzyme Q₁₀ from 5 mg to 200 mg riboflavin from5 mg to 200 mg pantothenic acid from 10 mg to 1,000 mg.
 17. A method ofproviding energy and strengthening skeletal muscle comprisingadministering a dietary supplement consisting of as active ingredients:(a) propionyl L-carnitine or a pharmacologically acceptable saltthereof; (b) coenzyme Q₁₀; (c) riboflavin; and (d) pantothenic acid;wherein the ingredients are administered admixed together or separately.18. The method of claim 17, wherein component (a) further comprises acarnitine selected from the group consisting of L-carnitine,acetyl-L-carnitine, valeryl-L-carnitine isovaleryl-L-carnitine andbutyryl-L-carnitine or the pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof ormixtures thereof.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein thepharmacologically acceptable salt is selected from the group consistingof chloride, bromide, iodide, aspartate, acid aspartate, citrate, acidcitrate, phosphate, acid phosphate, fumarate, acid fumarate,glycerophosphate, glucose phosphate, lactate, maleate, acid maleate,mucate, orotate, oxalate, acid oxalate, sulphate, acid sulphate,tartrate, trichloroacetate, trifluoroacetate and methane sulphonate. 20.The method of claim 17 in which the dietary supplement further comprisesat least one of the following components: (f) an amino acid selectedfrom the group consisting of valine, leucine and isoleucine or mixturesthereof; (g) a creatine selected from the group consisting of creatineand phosphocreatine or mixtures thereof.
 21. The method of claim 17wherein the weight ratio (a):(b):(c):(d) ranges from 10:0.04:0.08:0.4 to1:4:4:20.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the weight ratio(a):(b):(c):(d) ranges from 10:2:2:2 to 1:1:1:5.
 23. The method of claim17 wherein the dietary supplement is in the form of tablets, lozenges,pills, capsules or granulates.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein thecomposition is in a unit dosage form comprising: (a) propionylL-carnitine or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof; (b) coenzymeQ₁₀; (c) riboflavin; and (d) pantothenic acid.